Education_Overview | Blandy Experimental Farm

Preschool, Elementary, and Secondary Education Programs at

The University of Virginia’s

Historic Blandy Experimental Farm

The State Arboretum of Virginia

To Register on-line for a program click HERE!

The State Arboretum of Virginia is a regional center for environmental education; providing life-long learning for all ages. Our school programs are dedicated to providing local environmental science education and imparting a sense of place to students.

Our Mission: Encourage scientific exploration, discovery, and stewardship of our natural world by fostering a learning community among preK-12 students and teachers and scientists.

Each School Program includes an exciting variety of inquiry-based structured learning experiences for school-aged groups from public, private, and home schools.

We encourage teachers, students and parents to engage in exploration of the Arboretum by using their own educational activities or reserving a backpack collection of pre-planned activities.

Program Features

All programs provide hands-on learning experiences through indoor and outdoor activities.
Students interact through inquiry discussions and questions to help them apply what they already know to their new experiences.
Programs are aligned to Virginia SOLs and are designed to complement and enhance what educators are teaching in their classrooms.
Most school programs begin at the Parkfield Learning Center (inside) or Peetwood Pavilion for Environmental Education (outside), a short walk from the main parking area.

Program Structure:

For 1 to 2 classes visiting Blandy:

Allow 90 minutes for each program (which includes pre-program orientation and restroom break), unless otherwise stated in the program description. We can take up to two classes at one time– one in the Parkfield Learning Center and one in the outdoor classroom, the Peetwood Pavilion. There are three time slots available (10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.).

For 3 to 5 classes visiting Blandy:

The Education team at Blandy Experimental Farm has developed Rotation Schedules for many of the programs offered at Blandy. With these schedules, Blandy staff and teachers share the responsibility for leading students through the program activities. The rotation schedule is:

Designed for schools bringing 3-5 classes in one day
Designed as a series of stations the classes move through using a predetermined schedule
Designed so that students are engaged for the majority of the time they are at Blandy and intended to enhance the students’ learning experience
Available for the following programs: Let’s Sprout, Flower Functions, Scoop on Soils, Rocks Talk, Virginia Natives, Water Wonders, It’s for the Birds, Snake Savvy, Mammals, and Young Ecologists
A typical rotation will take about 2- 3 hours. Call or email for more information.
Arrival time is 9:40 a.m. for program briefing and restroom visits.

Call 540-837-1758 Ext. 242 or email schprog@virginia.edu if you have questions about program structure.

Our Facilities Include:

175-acre Arboretum collection featuring over 1,000 species of native and exotic trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants
Parking area designated for school buses
Two classrooms
Picnic area with tables and a water fountain
Wheelchair accessible restrooms in Quarters, Parkfield Learning Center, and the Peetwood Pavilion.

Cancellation Policy-Cancellation Fee: If you cancel your program (s) within 3 weeks of your scheduled date, you will be charged the minimum fee of $40 per program canceled. We are unable to fill timeslots vacated within 3 weeks of a program date due to the lead time needed for schools to schedule field trips. Programs will be held rain or shine, except for severe weather.

Arboretum Etiquette

To preserve and protect the Arboretum, we ask you follow these guidelines:

Do not pick or collect any plant, animal or geologic materials without prior permission.
Do not climb on any stone walls, trees or buildings. Stay on paths or grassy areas.
Be aware of common natural hazards like poison ivy, uneven ground and weather changes.
Please allow 20 minutes for an entire class to use the restroom before or after a program.
Please keep noise levels down when near the Quarters building.
Please respect the privacy of our staff working in the Quarters building.
Organized team sports or games are prohibited.